Come and dive the Poor Knights Islands with us!

The boat we use for the Poor Knights Liveaboard is MV Pacific Hideaway.
Most people drive up to the boat on Friday night and stay onboard in the marina that night. You can drive up on the Saturday morning as the boat will not be leaving the marina for the Poor Knights until approx 9am.
We can help out with arranging car pooling if needed.
The ride out to the Knights takes about an hour as the boat cruises at 12 knots and the islands are about 12 nautical miles from the mainland.

There is the opportunity to do up three daylight dives and one night dive on the Saturday and then three day dives on the Sunday (weather permitting one of these is the wreck of the HMNZS Waikato).

Divers can opt in or out of as many dives as they wish to do.
If someone would rather lie in the sun on the deck and read magazines or a good book they can. There are also kayaks available for the guests to use.
Between dives there is around an hour and 20mins surface interval as your tanks are filled. Plenty of time to off gas, log dives, relax and have another meal.

The trip includes all meals from Saturday breakfast until Sunday lunch, and includes morning tea (freshly baked scones from the skippers secret recipe, yummy), afternoon tea and 1^st and 2^nd breakfast on Sunday!!
If any one has any special dietary requirements or is a veggie let us know in advance so that they can be catered for.

We limit the number of divers on board to a maximum of 12 so that there is plenty of space for all, both in and out of the water. There are 4 cubbyhole cabins which couples get first dibs at and ladies get second dibs. This leaves lots of room for the remaining passengers to bunk down in the main cabin at night. It is recommended that you bring ear plugs if you are a light sleeper as there is usually a good chance of at least one snorer being on board.
The boat is back at the Tutukaka marina between 4 -5pm on Sunday afternoon.

Things to bring:
Dive gear including torches and two tanks
Sleeping bag or blanket (there are pillows on board but if you have a favorite lavender scented pillow that you can’t sleep without then bring it along)
Water (the water onboard is drinkable but from the bore water on the mainland so can have an ‘unusual’ flavor)
Snacks (you are fed generously but some folk just can’t live without their treats)
Bottle of wine or a few beers for enjoying at the end of the days diving

The trip costs $450 which includes the boat trip sight-seeing around the Poor Knights, accommodation Friday and Saturday on board, all meals from Saturday breakfast until Sunday lunch. To secure your space on the trip there is a minimum deposit of $150.

Full gear hire is $140 for the weekend (mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit, boots, BCD, Regs, and 2 tanks). Just 2 tanks for the weekend are $60. The tanks are filled on board the boat and you pay for the number of fills that you have over the weekend direct to the boat. These are $8 each.

This trip is aimed at the Intermediate to Experienced diver as there is the opportunity to do night, wreck and deep diving. We run the Advanced Open Water course on this trip.

Photographs by Andrew Simpson

Related Pages

• Photography Liveaboard with Richard Robinson
• Poor Knights July Liveaboard
• Global Dive Trip Schedule
• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver

YS02 strobe Eel with Shrimp

Global Dive customer Glenn Smith has sent us an example of what you can shoot with a YSo2 strobe

Strobe Review by Tom Crisp

Usually I am the diver in front of the camera, posing for photographers, recently this has changed.  In July I took the plunge and bought my first camera.
After all, we do have a lot of talk about photography around the shop and I was starting to feel left behind.
Buying a camera system is no easy task as there are so many options and opinions out there. You have to consider the camera itself, lenses, housings, ports and finally strobes, each with their own sub categories to make the decisions harder.
After finally deciding on which camera and housing to get with a lot of help from both Andrew and Bonnie (thanks guys) I set my heart on a Sony NEX5 camera with fish eye lens and Nauticam housing.
This system is small, light and very high quality so I needed strobes to match.

The search began for a strobe (or two) which would complement the size of my housing whilst maintaining build quality. I have had little previous experience with strobes. In fact about the extent of my experience was being blinded by them.
So once again I turned to Andrew for some expert guidance. He told me to borrow the shop’s rental strobe which was a Sea and Sea YS27 so I took it to the pool along with my new setup and started to fire away.
It was almost exactly what I was looking for. A week later we had a new strobe in the Sea and Sea range dropped in to us so we could have a look, the YS01. This was the newest model in the range so naturally, I had to have it.

Munching mollusc / Photograph by Tom Crisp

With little persuasion I ended up making the YS01 the latest addition to my equipment, and I have not looked back since.

There are two strobes to choose from in the new YS series, the YS01 and YS02.
Both have the same features except the YS02 does not have TTL function or a built in focus light.
The focus light was the deciding factor for me as I bought it with the intention of getting some cave diving shots, making it a necessity.
The strobe itself weighs only 500g keeping it in line with my lightweight rig. It uses a fiber optic cable allowing the unit to be used with almost every camera and housing on the market.  The controls are extremely simple, off, pre flash, normal flash and power adjustment. They are also very easy to use when wearing thick gloves.
I was overwhelmed by the power output of the YS01 and found myself dialing down the power on some of my shots in open water.  Sea and Sea have clearly improved on the YS27 by making the unit smaller, lighter and brighter. At the moment I still have only one strobe so I am still borrowing more for my trip to Mexico (the camera was bought specifically for this trip).
As soon as I get back I will definitely be taking the next step to obtaining the younger brother, the YS02. As I will already have a focus light and rarely use the TTL function this seems the logical choice to accompany my existing kit.

All up I think the newest editions to the Sea and Sea YS series are a winner for entry level to advanced photographers alike.

They will also make a great travel set of strobes and really don’t hurt the wallet as much as some others on the market.
You get a hell of a lot for your money with this package and I can’t wait to start shooting with two of them.

Open water photos shot with YS01 and YS27 strobes

Pool photos shot with YS27 only

As promised here at the Cave photos I took on my recent trip to Mexico.

Related Pages

• Product Review : Scubapro Seawing Nova Fins
• Sea and Sea DX-1200HD Camera
• Scubapro Jet Fin
• Nikon L22 with Ikelite housing

The current star of our camera range this year has been a fantastic little package from two top names in dive photography, Nikon and Ikelite.

The Coolpix L22 is easy to use, with fantastic results from all the divers who have been using it.
The 12MP sensor captures great images, which are easy to see on the 3.0 inch TFT LCD screen.
The standard AA batteries mean you should never be without power, and the SD card means storage solutions are simple and common.

The Ultra compact Ikelite housings are simply the top of their league.  Full camera control is available, whilst also offering a strong, durable package.  The system has proven its worth in many charter operations rental fleets worldwide.

The housing is rated to 60m with additional upgrades available through adding lighting solutions such as the AF35 Auto strobe system, (also in store).

One of our popular Divemasters, Lee Haslam, has been using this system for several months now, with some fantastic results. He loves how you can switch between video and stills whenever your artistic desire takes you.

The package comes with camera, housing, 4GB SD memory card, o-ring lube, vinyl lanyard, port cover, flash diffuser and flash deflector.

Related Pages

• Sea and Sea YS series Strobes
• Product Review : Scubapro Seawing Nova Fins
• Sea and Sea DX-1200HD Camera
• Scubapro Jet Fin

The PADI Enriched Air Diver course is PADI’s most popular specialty scuba diving course, and it’s easy to see why.

We run this course regualry on demand. Give us a call or come in to reserve your place.

Scuba diving with Enriched Air Nitrox gives you more no decompression dive time.

This means more time underwater, especially on repetitive scuba dives.

What You Learn

• Techniques for getting more dive time by using enriched air nitrox
• Enriched air scuba diving equipment considerations
• Enriched air considerations, including managing oxygen exposure, how to tell what’s in your scuba tank and how to set your dive computer 
  

Prerequisites

To enroll in the PADI Enriched Air Diver course, you must;

• Be 15 years or older
• Have a PADI Open Water Diver certification (or have a qualifying certification from another organization)

The Learning Materials You Need

The Enriched Air Diver crewpak includes all required materials to complete PADI’s Enriched Air Diver specialty.

The Enriched Air Diver Manual covers the procedures for diving with Enriched Air (up to 40%).

The Fun Part
You can typically stay down longer and get back in the water sooner.
No wonder many divers choose this as their very first specialty.

Global Dive can cater to all your enriched air cylinder fills.

——————————————

Enriched Air Nitrox Course Timetable

:  Please check our Training and Events Schedule for the latest course times and costs.

Related Pages

• Global Dive Training and Events Schedule
• PADI Rescue Diver
• PADI Divemaster
• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver

The Fun Part

Breathe easy—knowing that you know how to recognize illnesses treatable by emergency oxygen. Being the best buddy you can be means being prepared – especially in a time of need.
What You Learn

You learn how to

* Recognize diving illnesses treatable by emergency oxygen
* Properly setup equipment
* Administer emergency oxygen

The Scuba Gear You Use

Scuba gear is not necessary to take this course.

The Learning Materials You Need

The PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider Manual is an important component of PADI’s Emergency Oxygen training program. Before class, you’ll review a step-by-step explanation of when and how to provide emergency oxygen.

You’ll also learn about safety considerations, and how to assemble and disassemble emergency oxygen equipment.

The care-at-a-glance card is a quick reference guide to pack in your gear bag and review in case of an emergency.
To purchase this product, contact us.

Prerequisites

Though suited for divers, this course has no prerequisites and doesn’t include dives, which means it is equally applicable to those who are around divers – boat crew, non-diving buddies, lifeguards, and shore staff. You don’t need any previous CPR or first aid training to take the course.

Your Next Adventure

The Emergency First Response certification, which covers CPR and first aid, pairs perfectly with the Emergency Oxygen Provider course.

You’ll also want to be sure to complete your Rescue Diver and Master Scuba Diver rating to be the best prepared dive buddy around.

Related Pages

• PADI Rescue Diver
• Global Dive Training and Events Schedule
• Dive Team Profile : Natasha Sharpe
• Learn to Dive with Global Dive

PADI Self Reliant Diver is one of the Tech Dive NZ Essential classes. An essential class will benefit all divers irrespective of whether they intend to undertake further technical diving traiing.

More information can be found in the Self Reliant Diver course outline – http://www.techdivenz.com/pdfs/courses/srd.pdf

Course timetable

Self Reliant Diver training in the Olympic Pool, Newmarket

Related Pages

• PADI Distinct Specialty – Self Reliant Diver

We are offering this course in conjunction with Tech Dive NZ.

Two of our Instructors, Colin and Tara, have completed this course and one of our Divemasters, Leigh, is in the process of completing his course.

We are more than happy to give you our thoughts – and they are all good thoughts too.

When the buddy system works, it works well… but many divers are often left in precarious situations by a bad diving partner!

The purpose of the Self Reliant Diver programme is to not only provide exposure to the skills needed to extricate oneself from such a situation and to emphasise the importance of proper dive planning as a means to avoid such situations in the first instance.

What You Learn

The course will cover a number of academic topics, including incident analysis, diving philosophies, equipment for self-reliance, gas management and dive planning. In addition, practical skills include the use and management of redundant scuba equipment as well as improving situational awareness and buoyancy skills.

Prerequisites

To enrol in the course, you must be 18 years old and be certified as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent), and successfully pass a skills assessment to determine your level of comfort and competence.

The Fun Part

Nothing beats the feeling of diving in a unified team, where each diver is not only competent in the their own diving skills but also takes a shared responsibility for the whole team.
This course will help you feel much more comfortable in the water and give you the confidence to extend your diving to ensure that you get the most out of every dive.

The Learning Materials You Need

None.
The academic aspects of this course will be covered in a classroom session, and then practical skills introduced in the pool before going to open water.
However, you will need additional equipment – a spare mask, a surface marker buoy and an appropriate self-contained gas supply.

If you are interested in this course but do not have all the equipment yet, come in and have a chat to us at Global Dive.

Related Pages

• PADI Rescue Diver
• PADI Divemaster
• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
• PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox)

The PADI Dry Suit Diver course

Would you like to stay warm and toasty on a dive?   Yes!!!
Then dive dry. Yes!
Unlike a wetsuit, a dry suit seals you off from the outside water and that keeps you warm!  Even in surprisingly cold water.

What You Learn
Gain the knowledge and skills to safely dive with and take care of your dry-suit.
Get introduced to the different types of suits so you can make a very informed decision when considering purchasing a dry suit.

Dry Suit divers know the way to dive! / Photograph by Andrew Simpson

• Dry suit buoyancy control skills
• Dry suit maintenance, storage and basic repair
• Undergarment options

Practical skills you’ll master in this course:

• Dry Suit Familiarization
• Safety Checks
• Entry Techniques
• Bubble Check
• Buoyancy Check
• Descent techniques
• Fin Pivot
• Hover
• Excess gas in feet emergency roll drill
• Stuck inflator emergency drill
• Stuck exhaust valve emergency drill
• Ascent procedure – Remove and replace scuba unit and weight belt on the surface
• Exit techniques · Removal of dry suit, storage and maintenance

The Learning Materials You Will Need;

The PADI Dry Suit Diving crewpack is the owner’s guide you didn’t get with your dry suit.

Topics include:

• Basic dry suit repairs,
• How to pack a dry suit to prevent damage
• Maintenance tips

Additionally, the course materials preview skills and activities you’ll practice in the PADI Dry Suit Specialty course including

• Handling and avoiding potential problems
• Buoyancy control.

Prerequisites

• A PADI Open Water Diver or Junior Open Water Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another training organization)
• At least 12 years old

The Fun Part

Dry suits let you dive more challenging dive sites, and extend your dive season.
When you have the right cold water scuba diving attire, you can stand up to the elements and take advantage of the generally better visibility offered by winter months—especially at inland dive sites such as quarries, lakes, sinkholes and caves etc.

As a dry suit diver, you’re equipped to scuba dive some of the world’s incredible dive sites in the world’s cooler regions that are best enjoyed in a dry suit even in their warmer months.

Related Pages

• Dry Suit Rental
• PADI Rescue Diver
• PADI Divemaster
• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver

Whether sunk on purpose as an artificial reef or the result of mishap, wrecks open fascinating windows to the past.

Most divers find wrecked ships, airplanes and even automobiles nearly irresistible because they’re intriguing to explore, exciting avenues of discovery, and usually teeming with aquatic life.

The PADI Wreck Diver course teaches you the ins and outs of rewarding, responsible wreck diving.

What You Learn

• Techniques for diving exploring shipwrecks, and how to avoid common hazards
  

  HMNZS Canterbury / Photograph by Andrew Simpson

• How to research and learn the background of your favorite wrecks
• Wreck scuba diving equipment considerations
• Considerations and techniques for entering intact wrecks
• Experience in planning, organising and making at least four wreck dives under the supervision of your PADI Instructor

The Learning Materials You Need

Prepare for the exciting –and specialised- world of wreck diving with PADI’s Wreck Diver crewpak. Preview the skills you’ll practice during your open water dives, become familiar with wreck diving etiquette, and take in breath-taking images from wreck diving hotspots around the world.

Prerequisites

To enroll in the PADI Wreck Diver course, you must

• Be 15 years or older
• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification (or have a qualifying certification from another organisation) due to the depths of the wrecks we are potentially using

The Fun Part

The fun part of the PADI Wreck Diver course is visiting wrecks, unlocking mysteries and starting to gain the knowledge and experience that allows you to see things that others overlook.

Sometimes, only the trained, experienced eye recognizes that a small hole or open door likely caused the vessel’s demise.

Take a look through the gallery below at some of the photographs we have all taken of not only New Zealand’s shipwrecks, but many of the wrecks to be found around the world.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Related Pages

• PADI Rescue Diver
• PADI Divemaster
• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
• PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox)

Just announced at DEMA show, the Sea and Sea DX-1200HD looks set to become the must have camera for 2009.

We are expecting our first shipment of cameras in the first week of December.

Sporting some fantastic specifications, Sea and Sea have again, pushed the boundaries of technology with this amazing little camera.

Andrew had a sneak preview of a pre production prototype in Australia earlier in the year and said it was simply awesome!!

Specifications include;

* 12.1MP

* 3″ widescreen LCD screen

* Flash Light Diffuser function – Effective diffuser that softly diffuses the light of the built-in flash

* Depth rated to 45m

* Capable of recording HD (high definition) videos at a size of 1280×780

* Features SEA&SEA mode, a still image mode for optimal underwater photography.

Global dive is New Zealand’s only “Sea and Sea Pro Photo centre”, with full range on display in stock, including the full range of strobes and arms.

Come and talk to us about your photographic needs.

Also come in and have a chat to us if you are interested in a Digital Underwater Photography Course.

Related Pages

• Sea and Sea YS series Strobes
• Product Review : Scubapro Seawing Nova Fins
• Nikon L22 with Ikelite housing
• Shearwater Predator Computer